The Lifeguard and Rescue sector in Lanzarote is having difficulties finding staff this summer. Following the announcement of the lack of lifeguards in Lanzarote's hotels, as is the case of Playa Blanca, the company Proactiva, in charge of hiring staff for Playa del Reducto in Arrecife, makes it clear that "it is not difficult, but sometimes you suffer until the last moment to find workers," says its manager on the island, David Cubelo.
Unlike the case of hotels, on Reducto beach "as of today we have 100% of the staff", Cubelo acknowledges, and even more so considering that from July 20th to September "we will have six lifeguards daily on the beach", the manager anticipates.
Although he confirms to La Voz that hiring "is not as buoyant as before", due to a change in training since to be a lifeguard "you have to have a professional qualification or a Middle Grade cycle in Sports Technician in Rescue and Lifeguarding". And the "time it takes to complete the cycle" is one of the reasons, since its duration is "nine months", he adds. With the disadvantage that "promotions do not come out very often". In addition, "right now hotels and beaches are asking for that cycle".
But it should be noted that we as a company "advise workers to do the cycle", as it serves for various tasks "from lifeguard to being able to give swimming courses", he says.
"During the working day we are like public relations, but for the beach"
David Cubelo explains the necessary qualities that must be had to work as lifeguards: "if you like the sea and dealing with users, this is your job". In addition, "dealing with people" is a "very important" factor, since during the working day "we are like public relations" but "for the beach", Cubelo adds. Although we carry out other important tasks such as "assessing the flag that must be put up each day", but above all, a lot of "information and prevention".
This summer is expected to be "hot", Cubelo anticipates, and "what worries us most is the high temperatures", the manager acknowledges. Given those high temperatures that are coming "people are going to come to the beach more", he adds.
In the case of El Reducto, now that summer is coming, "we have increased the number of cruise ship users", taking into account that the average number of people daily on the beach "is 150 or 200 people".
"We can be hiring more than 60 workers globally throughout the Canary Islands"
In conclusion, the head of Proactiva confirms that "lifeguards are needed throughout the Canary Islands" since "we live from the sun and the beach all year round". And he also concludes with the figures of lifeguards that will be needed during the summer "we can be hiring more than 60 workers globally throughout the Canary Islands".
